Texas State BFA Performance & Production?

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

<p>Hey all! As many of you know, I've made my decision and will be headed off to a school I'm very happy with next year, but I couldn't help thinking of something that stuck with me throughout the process-- a question that I never really got answered.</p>

<p>I was rejected from the absurdly competitive BFA MT and Acting programs at Texas State San Marcos, likely due to a combination of type being filled, lack of dance experience, and, y'know, the fact that there are a lot of REALLY GOOD students going for about two dozen spots total. Nature of the business, and some of the kids I auditioned with are scary talented. I'm not upset about that (matter of fact, a good friend of mine is in!).</p>

<p>However, the rejection email attempted to soften the blow by suggesting that I check out the school's non-auditioned BFA in Performance and Production, which I was unfamiliar with. It struck me as basically being similar to a generalist degree in Theater Studies, except a BFA, but I couldn't dig up much info on the program beyond the curriculum. It strikes me as a bone they throw to kids who can't hack it in the nationally-renowned small-group programs-- perhaps that's sour grapes and an unfair assumption, but considering that none of their renowned alumni came from P&P and even their website barely acknowledges that the track exists, maybe not. Here's what I know about it:</p>

<p>-About 300 students
-Officially, they have the same opportunities as the Acting/MT students (no senior showcase, though).
-Can't get into the Pre-Professional program without starting over as a freshman (theater credits don't transfer).
-Pretty sure they don't get the cushy in-state tuition break, either.</p>

<p>So is it just me, or are P&P emphasis majors the redheaded step-children of Texas State theater? If anyone knows more about the program, I'd very much like to hear it. Thanks!</p>

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<p>Hi StrangeBro, I don’t really know anything about this program. But I’d imagine enrolling in it would be akin to attending a school that offers a BA degree in addition to a BFA (although this major, being a BFA, probably requires more theatre courses than a typical BA)? In any case, if you’re really interested, I would suggest you call Tina Hyatt, the academic advisor to the TSU Department of Theatre, and ask her about the program. She’s very knowledgeable and helpful to parents as well as perspective students.</p>

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<p>^^^meant to say “prospective students”, not perspective.</p>

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<p>In the degree section of the theatre and dance website, Texas State describes the P&P program as thus: “This new degree plan is replacing the old Directing program, allowing students with more specific interests in the production side of theatre and opportunity to graduate with a B.F.A. Students wishing to study Directing, Film, and Stage Management will graduate under this plan.”</p>

<p>Judging by that description, I’m guessing there aren’t many performance opportunities for P&P majors.</p>

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<p>Without going into names and specifics, I’ll just say my D and I looked at the PnP there - which a couple people had suggested as possible backups, (and these were people who I think didn’t have any reason to assume my D was perf BFA material and sort of assumed she wasn’t) and we decided that a BA at a different school with a serious, really good BA program (where it was more like at least half major courses rather than just a third - of which we found some nice ones) would do her more good.</p>

<p>We may or may not have heard people talk about the experiences of non BFA kids there…personally, if I wanted to get into the BFA and didn’t, I wouldn’t settle for the BA at that particular school. I could be wrong and basing that on incorrect information, but…eh, it was just our gut feeling. I think it would be fabulous to be in the perf BFA there, or not wanting to perform and being in the PnP BFA, but I think I recall something about “spear carriers.”</p>

<p>I do know for a fact that they close those really wonderful classes with the awesome teachers to the BA’s. THAT is the part that would have been hard for my D. Hearing about the insanely wonderful Dance for MT teacher and not being allowed to have him… Where she is, although she’s changing to tech and remaining a BA, although they added a performance BFA this year, she won’t be barred from taking any of the classes. Time might factor in as far as her individual curriculum plan, but it’s not like first class in the airlines where they snap that curtain shut and don’t let the cattle in coach even PEEK at the shiny shiny stuff they aren’t allowed to have, which is the feeling we got about TSU.</p>

<p>We visited that school a year before my daughter quit pretending she wasn’t going to do theater and really liked the school itself. I’m glad it has such a fabulous BFA program…but I wish the BA program seemed less like salt in the wound for the many many talented kids who just didn’t win the lottery…maybe I’m wrong about it.</p>

<p>But I did get that red headed stepchild vibe.</p>

<p>We didn’t visit Houston but did visit OU, so I can only compare two of the three highly sought after state schools in this region with MT. At OU, there is no BA program - so if you are lucky enough to get in, you are in.</p>

<p>At SFA, only the BFA’s get that fabulous abroad study, but then again it’s not real hard to get into their BFA, it isn’t capped, it’s by review your second year, and basically if you show aptitude, hard work and improvement, that is what they base it on, not if you fit their limited number of slots. </p>

<p>I can’t recall Houston or Texas Christian’s policy with BA’s and BFA’s at the moment, but none of them struck me quite the way State did in this aspect of it.</p>

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I was told by my theater director from high school (a alumni graduate from the Texas State BFA Acting program) that if you do not get into the BFA MT or Acting program you’re kind of capped from the shows you audition for. Most plays he said will only cast from the BFA majors because they tend to be the “first pick choice”. He believes that Texas state is an incredible school for acting, especially in comparison to schools in the south and is on the level of schools like Carnegie Mellon and Pace. But if you don’t get into either BFA program there you shouldn’t pursue a degree at texas state. You’ll be ostracized, miss out on opportunities, and won’t be given individual attention like the BFA majors.

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I don’t agree. @ActorsAlmanac‌. My daughter auditioned at Texas State last year (MT) and it was made very clear that anyone from the school’s population can audition. The example was made that if a science major happened to be the best for the role that person would get the role. And it is very much suggested to apply for the performance and production major if not accepted for Acting or MT because the same faculty teaches them too.

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Well, that’s good to hear! Thank you for your reply! @GSOMTMom‌

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ActorsAlmanac - Not a knock on Texas State’s Acting program, but there are some EXCELLENT Acting programs in the south, including some at other Texas schools. I know TSU gets mad love her on CC, which is fine, but don’t overlook the fact that there are many programs “in the south” that offer exceptional acting training.

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I know some take a real shine to SMU / Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas. A few reasons being outstanding financial aid, both an BFA Acting Track and BFA Theatre Studies track (which includes a lot of acting plus the ability to have an emphasis in directing, playwriting, or production. There is also a minor in MT and a visual arts minor of some sort, too.

It is a stunning university with a large endowment, which means in addition to financial aid, students can requests grants for all sorts of study options such as traveling/performing abroad. It is a high-caliber university, with practically brand new accommodations and a reputation for great food service.

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@2019theatremom‌ I just recently visited and had my callback at SMU! They said they got ride of there musical theatre program and only hold musicals every once in awhile that are campus wide auditions, not just through the department. I also got into UT’s brand new BFA acting program. Thank you @Austinmom‌ for the wise advice!